Port Richmond

The NSRR runs on a 0.8-mile-long concrete viaduct through Port Richmond. The viaduct was built to eliminate dangerous at-grade street crossings in the neighborhood. It was funded by the depression-era Federal Public Works Administration and cost around $2 million. Work began in 1934 and the viaduct opened on February 25, 1937 (NY Times 12/4/1933 and 2/24/1937).

A 2000 inspection revealed the viaduct to be largely sound, although age, lack of maintenance and issues with ADA compliance would likely necessitate extensive repairs. Old station platforms and awnings still exist on the viaduct, although their poor condition and old design would probably require complete reconstruction. Consideration is also being given to replacement of the structure or demolition with restoration of the at-grade crossings - showing how easy it is to pursue short-term savings while failing to learn the lessons of history.

The viaduct begins its rise behind the water pollution control plant around Taylor Street.

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Pollution Control Plant

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Viaduct behind Pollution Control Plant

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Viaduct rising toward Richmond Terrace

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Stream at Rector Street

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Ducks in the stream

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TLC office 1893 Richmond Terrace

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Richmond Terrace looking west from Rector Street

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NYC DOT facility on Richmond Terrace

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Richmond Terrace turning North

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Viaduct approaching Richmond Terrace

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Viaduct crossing Richmond Terrace

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Viaduct crossing Richmond Terrace

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Sidewalk on Richmond Terrace under viaduct

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Viaduct ceiling

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Viaduct piers looking west

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Jewett Lead Company EPA remediation sign

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Viaduct headed west past Jewett Lead Co. site

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Viaduct over Richmond Terrace

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Reinaur Tugboats

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Reinaur Tugboats

The Port Richmond station was between Park Avenue (a residential street) and Richmond Avenue, a street of diversified shopping.

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Port Richmond Station at Park Ave. - westbound platform

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Park Ave. Bridge - 1935

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Stairway to platform

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Stairway to platform

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Port Richmond Station awning

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Viaduct over Park Avenue

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Viaduct over Park Avenue

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Viaduct over Port Richmond Avenue

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Nat's Men's Shop

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Old residential stock on Ann Street

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Under the viaduct

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Concrete stringers

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Spalling

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Stairway up to platform

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Twin spans

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Spalling

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Looking west under the viaduct

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Viaduct at the end of Port Richmond Avenue mall

While a bit worse for wear, reactivation of the rail line could well be a nice shot in the arm for the shopping area, broadening the pool of potential customers. The area is largely older housing stock (often in poor condition) that might also be ripe for higher-density redevelopment.

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Port Richmond Avenue shops

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Empty storefront

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Port Richmond Avenue shops

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Port Richmond Avenue shops

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Mossy vacant slot

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Grove Avenue

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Maple Street at Grove Avenue

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Viaduct over Maple Street

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Grove Avenue at Faber Street

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Viaduct over Faber Street

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Solid Rock Ministries - 70 Grove Avenue

The Tower Hill station sat between Sharpe and Treadwell Avenues and served the west side of Port Richmond. The station is not slated for reactivation, probably due to its proximity to both the Port Richmond and Elm Park stations.

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Tower Hill Station at the end of Grove Avenue
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Tower Hill Station

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Spalling
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West staircase

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Tower Hill Station
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East staircase

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East staircase
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Tower Hill Station

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Rusted awning
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Under the viaduct looking west

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Cracking
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Viaduct over Sharpe Avenue

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Viaduct over Treadwell Ave.
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1935 date stamp (BIN 7706050)

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Stairway to platform
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No tresspassing

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Extensive cracking, revealing steel stringers

The mostly residential neighborhood features closely-packed but large late-19th and early-20th century homes. Some of the neighborhood properties could use some improvements, but there don't appear to be alot of vacant lots. The residents would probably be quite hostile to having alot of homes torn down for large, dense redevelopment projects.

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Treadwell Ave. looking north toward viaduct

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Multiple house ages - Harrison at Sharpe

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Large old houses - Harrison at Treadwell

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Treadwell at Slaight - Mansard roof

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Houses on Treadwell Street

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Newer multi-family row houses - Slaight at Nicholas

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Slaight at Nicholas

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Houses on Nicholas Avenue

The Port Richmond viaduct ends between Treadwell and Nicholas Avenues and heads into a trench to points West. Just before returning to grade level, the line crosses over Treadwell Avenue on a formidable-looking pony plate bridge. The line was unfenced at this point when I visited in 2009, making it possible to climb onto the bridge. However, overgrowth to the west and east would make further walking on the line a fairly arduous hike.